Collectively Quote by Robert Musil
“... there is a particular propensity in the world for people, wherever they appear in great numbers, to permit themselves collectively everything that would be forbidden them individually.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Man Without Qualities, Robert Musil, 1930
When many people gather, they often accept collectively what each would reject alone, highlighting social conformity and loss of individual moral standards.
In simple terms: Groups can normalize behavior individuals would avoid alone.
Key Takeaway
Question personal ethics against group pressure.
Themes
conformity
morality
social influence
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- political movements
- online communities
- peer pressure
- mass protests
- corporate culture
Key Concepts
collective behavior
ethical relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever follow a group despite personal doubts?
- How can you maintain integrity in crowds?
A Different Perspective
Individual conscience may be suppressed by majority norms.
